Institutes

/ˈɪnstɪˌtjuːts/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Foundational legal treatises or compendiums setting forth principles of law, notably Justinian's Institutes in Roman law.
    The judge referenced the Institutes to interpret ancient Roman legal concepts.
  2. (n.) Established organizations devoted to a specific purpose, often educational or scholarly, recognized under law.
    The research was conducted under the auspices of a government institute.
  3. (v.) Third-person singular present of the verb institute, meaning to initiate legal proceedings or establish rules or systems.
    The court institutes a procedure to handle the case efficiently.

Forms

  • institute
  • instituted
  • instituting

Commentary

In legal contexts, "Institutes" frequently refers to classical legal compilations; distinguish this from "institute" as a verb meaning to commence legal action.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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